1924: Walter Smith was sentenced to six months hard labour after breaking and entering the house of Edward Mulligan, before stealing goods

After he stumbled across the historic mugshots, the original black-and-white images were published in Peter Doyle’s book, Crooks Like Us.

Doyle explains that, unlike typical prison mug shots, “the subjects of the Special Photographs seem to have been allowed – perhaps invited – to position and compose themselves for the camera as they liked.”

This allows the viewer to get a real sense of their personality, and many find the portraits so striking as many of the criminals look just like everyday people.

Although some of the detainees look dishevelled, a proportion of them are pictured in smart suits or fancy dresses.